Video distribution server, video distribution method and recording medium

ABSTRACT

This video distribution server which receives moving images from an originating terminal and distributes these moving images to a viewer terminal implements a questionnaire within the broadcast on the basis of commands from the originating terminal and provides the same questionnaire to a Web server.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The disclosure of the application claims priority and is related to thesubject matter described in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/609,277, filedon Oct. 29, 2019, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-226881, filedon Nov. 27, 2017, the entire disclosure contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technology for distributing videos,and specifically, relates to a technology for providing interactiveservices in broadcasting.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, video distribution services that allow individuals todistribute videos through a network without a need of a specificequipment have been increasingly widespread. In such a videodistribution service, a conventional art with a questionnaire functionthat an originator of live broadcasting can create a questionnaireinstantly and obtain an answer from a viewer has been known.

Another conventional art with a service that can implement aquestionnaire on a website has also been known.

Patent Document 1, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-222390, isnoted.

SUMMARY

Originators who implement questionnaires in live broadcasting have adesire to collect opinions extensively including from people other thanthe viewers. People who cannot view the live broadcasting have a desireto participate in questionnaires implemented in the live broadcasting.

However, there has been an issue that only the viewers of the livebroadcasting are allowed to respond to the questionnaires implemented inthe live broadcasting in which the video distribution service is used.

In addition to questionnaires, there has also been an issue that onlythe viewers of the live broadcasting are allowed to participate ininteractive events performed during the broadcasting, such as quizzesand game competitions performed in the broadcasting.

In view of the foregoing, the purpose of an embodiment is to enablepeople who are not viewing the broadcast to participate in eventsimplemented during the broadcasting.

The video distribution device according to a first aspect of theembodiment comprises a distribution means of distributing a video to aviewer terminal based on an instruction from an originating terminal andan execution means of executing an interactive service to the viewerterminal and providing the interactive service to a server device whenreceiving a request to start the service from the originating terminalduring the distribution of the video.

A video distribution method according to a second aspect of theembodiment is the video distribution method executed by a computer,comprising a step of distributing a video to a viewer terminal based onan instruction from an originating terminal and a step of executing aninteractive service to the viewer terminal and providing the interactiveservice to a server device when receiving a request to start the servicefrom the originating terminal during the distribution of the video.

A recording medium according to a third aspect of the embodiment is acomputer-readable recording medium which records a program to direct aprocessor to execute a processing to distribute a video to a viewerterminal based on an instruction from an originating terminal and aprocessing to execute an interactive service to the viewer terminal andprovide the interactive service to a server device when receiving arequest to start the service from the originating terminal during thedistribution of the video.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to enable people who are notviewing the broadcasting to participate in events implemented during thebroadcasting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a configurationexample of a service connection system including a video distributionserver of the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example ofthe video distribution server.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing in which thevideo distribution server connects with a web server and implements aquestionnaire.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed onan originating terminal when broadcasting a program.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a questionnaire implementationscreen displayed on a viewer terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the questionnaireimplementation screen on a webpage.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing which completesthe questionnaire and displays a result.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of thequestionnaire result displayed on the viewer terminal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the questionnaire resultscreen on the webpage.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram of the display screen of a shoppingprogram displayed on the viewer terminal.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram of the webpage connecting with theshopping program of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing in which thevideo distribution server and the web server connect in the shoppingprogram.

FIG. 13 is an example diagram of another display screen of the shoppingprogram displayed on the viewer terminal.

FIG. 14 is an example diagram of the webpage connecting with theshopping program of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an example diagram of yet another display screen of theshopping program displayed on the viewer terminal.

FIG. 16 is an example diagram of the webpage connecting with theshopping program of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described while referring to thedrawings.

While referring to FIG.1, an overall configuration of a serviceconnection system including the video distribution server according tothe embodiment will be described. The service connection system is asystem connecting between broadcasting and the web and providinginteractive services pertaining to both the broadcasting and the web.The service connection system shown in FIG. 1 includes the videodistribution server 1 and a web server 2. The video distribution server1 and the web server 2 are connected through a network. The originatingterminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4 are connected to the videodistribution server 1 through the network.

The originating terminal 3 is a terminal used by the originator totransmit broadcasting. The viewer terminal 4 is a terminal used by theviewer to view broadcasting. A personal computer or a mobile terminalsuch as a smartphone or a tablet may be used for the originatingterminal 3 and the viewer terminal 4. The web browser 5 is connected tothe web server 2 through the network. The web browser 5 is for viewing awebpage provided by the web server 2 and is executed by a personalcomputer, a mobile terminal or equivalent devices. In the embodimentherein, the web browser 5 is defined as a terminal used by a person whois neither the originator nor the viewer. Further, in FIG. 1, althoughthe number of the originating terminal 3, the viewer terminal 4 and theweb browser 5 are set to be one each respectively, these numbers arepractically much higher.

The video distribution server 1 receives a video for broadcasting fromthe originating terminal 3 and distributes the video to the viewerterminal 4. The video for the broadcasting may be a video of a livebroadcasting taken by a camera connected to the originating terminal 3or a video recorded in advance, for example. Alternatively, it may be astill image in which audio is added. When distributing a video recordedin advance, the video distribution server 1 does not necessarily need toreceive the video from the originating terminal 3 and may receive anddistribute the video from a location designated by the originatingterminal 3.

When receiving an instruction to implement a questionnaire from theoriginating terminal 3, the video distribution server 1 implements thequestionnaire in the broadcasting and directs the web server 2 toimplement the questionnaire with the same content. The viewer can usethe viewer terminal 4 to answer the questionnaire. People who are notviewing the broadcasting on the viewer terminal 4 can answer thequestionnaire with the same content as the questionnaire in thebroadcasting by accessing to the web server 2 in the web browser 5.

The web server 2 provides a website with a questionnaire function. Whenthe web browser 5 accesses the web server 2, it is possible to answerthe questionnaire provided by the web server 2. When receiving theinstruction to execute the questionnaire from the video distributionserver 1, the web server 2 implements the questionnaire in the webserver 2. The web server 2 transmits the result of the questionnaireimplemented to the video distribution server 1 based on the instructionof the video distribution server 1. Further, since the web server 2 canimplement the questionnaire independently from broadcasting, in additionto the viewers, unspecified large number of people are allowed to answerthe questionnaire provided by the web server 2.

Next, a configuration example of the video distribution server 1 will bedescribed while referring to FIG. 2. The video distribution server 1 asshown in FIG. 2 includes a video distribution unit 11, a questionnaireprocessing unit 12, a command input unit 13, a web connection unit 14and a result reception unit 15. Each unit provided in the videodistribution server 1 may be configured by a computer with an arithmeticprocessing device, a recording device or equivalent devices, andprocessing of each unit may be executed by programing. The programing isstored in the recording device provided in the video distribution server1, and it is possible to record in the recording medium such as amagnetic disk, an optical disk or a semiconductor memory and further, itis possible to provide through a network. Each unit will be described asbelow.

The video distribution unit 11 receives a video from the originatingterminal 3 and distributes the video to the viewer terminal 4.

The questionnaire processing unit 12 implements the questionnaire in thebroadcasting based on an instruction from the originating terminal 3.Specifically, the questionnaire processing unit 12 displays thequestions and answer options on the viewer terminal 4 by superimposingthe questions and answer options of the questionnaire on the videodistributed by the video distribution unit 11 and receives theinformation on the option selected by the viewer. The questionnaireprocessing unit 12 receives the questionnaire result in the broadcastingand the questionnaire result on the web from the result reception unit15 and reports the questionnaire result in the broadcasting. Thequestionnaire results may be displayed on the viewer terminal 4 bysuperimposing the result on the video.

The command input unit 13 receives an input of a command from theoriginator and performs processing according to the input command. Theexamples of commands related to the embodiment include a command forimplementing a questionnaire, a command for ending a questionnaire and acommand for displaying a questionnaire result. The command input unit 13controls the questionnaire, processing unit 12 to implement thequestionnaire in the broadcasting and controls the web connection unit14 to implement the questionnaire on the web server 2 when receiving thecommand to implement the questionnaire.

The web connection unit 14 connects the broadcast and the webpage.Specifically, when the questionnaire is implemented in the broadcasting,the web connection unit 14 transmits the questions and the answeroptions of the questionnaire implemented in the broadcasting to the webserver 2 and directs the web server 2 to implement the samequestionnaire.

The result reception unit 15 receives each of the questionnaire resultin the broadcasting and the questionnaire result on the webrespectively. The result reception unit 15 may combine eachquestionnaire result.

Next, a processing in which the video distribution server 1 connectswith the web server 2 and implements a questionnaire will be describedwhile referring to FIG. 3.

First, as advance preparation, the video distribution server 1 directsthe web server 2 to prepare a webpage connecting to the broadcast basedon the instruction of the originator (Step S11). The video distributionserver 1 generates a program ID for identifying the program with respectto each program, which is a unit of a set of broadcasting. The videodistribution server 1 transmits the program ID to the web server 2 anddirects the web server 2 to prepare a webpage connected to the programID when receiving the request for connecting the broadcast and the webfrom the originating terminal 3. The webpage prepared by the web server2 may be empty or may display that the questionnaire has not beenimplemented yet. Alternatively, an introduction of the correspondingprogram may be described, or a link to a page introducing thecorresponding program may be posted. Further, a user ID identifying anoriginator may be used as an identifier which links the broadcast andthe webpage.

The video distribution server 1 receives the Uniform Resource Identifier(URI) of the webpage prepared in the web server 2. By displaying, theURI on, for example, the announcement page of the program, theoriginator can lead a person who cannot view the program at the time ofbroadcasting to the webpage corresponding to the program. In addition,when the web server 2 provides an interface in accordance with thedesign principle of Representational State Transfer (REST), the URI maybe used to perform acquisition, creation, correction and deletion of theinformation.

The originator may connect the program and the web by using themanagement screen provided by the video distribution server 1 or mayconnect, the program and the web by using the management screen providedby the web server 2. When the program and the web are connected from theweb server 2 side, the URI of the webpage prepared by the web server 2and the program ID (which may be a user ID) are transmitted to the videodistribution server 1.

The video distribution server 1 records that the program and the web areconnected and stores the information necessary for the connection (forexample, the URI of the webpage).

Further, the connection between the program and the web may be performedduring the broadcasting of the program.

The video distribution server 1 receives an instruction to startbroadcasting from the originating terminal 3 and starts the broadcasting(Step S12). After the initiation of the broadcasting, the videodistribution server 1 receives the video from the originating terminal 3and distributes the video to the viewer terminal 4. The videodistribution server 1 may receive a comment from the viewer terminal 4during the broadcasting and display the comment on the originatingterminal 3 and other viewer terminals 4. The comment processing may be acomment distribution server different from the video distribution server1.

When receiving the command to start the questionnaire from theoriginating terminal 3 (Step S13), the video distribution server 1starts the questionnaire in the broadcasting (Step S14). The originatoroperates the originating terminal 3 and transmits the contents of thequestionnaire such as questions and answer options to the videodistribution server 1 when implementing the questionnaire during thebroadcasting. The video distribution server 1 transmits the questionsand the answer options received from the originator to the viewerterminal 4, and the viewer terminal 4 creates and displays aquestionnaire implementation screen using the received questions and theanswer options. The video distribution server 1 may create thequestionnaire implementation screen and transmit it to the viewerterminal 4.

An example of a display screen displayed on the originating terminal 3is shown in FIG. 4. In the video section 101 of the display screen 100,the video in the broadcasting and comments input with respect to thebroadcasting are superimposed and displayed. The video displayed in thevideo section 101 and the comment are the same as the video displayed onthe viewer terminal 4. in the comment list section 102 on the right sideof the video section 101, a list of comments input with respect to thebroadcasting is displayed. The comment input field 103 on the lower sideof the video section 101 is used by the originator to input a comment.When the originator inputs a comment in the comment input field 103 andclicks on the comment posting button 104, the input comment is postedand displayed during the broadcasting.

The questionnaire section 110 on the lower part of the display screen100 is an area for inputting the information of the questionnaire. Aquestion is entered in the question input field 111. Answer options withrespect to the question are entered in the answer options input fields112 a to 112 d. When the originator inputs the question and the answeroptions in the question input field 111 and the answer options inputfields 112 a to 112 d and clicks on the question button 113, the commandto start the questionnaire requesting the implementation of thequestionnaire is transmitted to the video distribution server 1 alongwith the contents of the questionnaire. When the originator clicks onthe result display button 114, the collected result of the questionnaireis displayed.

In addition, the questionnaire may also be started by inputting acommand in the comment input field 103. When inputting “/” followed by apredetermined character string in the comment input field 103, the inputcharacter string is interpreted as a command. For example, when theoriginator inputs “/vote start a question answer option 1 answer option2 answer option 3 answer option 4” in the comment input field 103 andclicks on the comment posting button 104, the command to start thequestionnaire is transmitted to the video distribution server 1 alongwith the question and answer options 1 to 4.

An example of the questionnaire implementation screen displayed on theviewer terminal 4 is shown in FIG. 5. The question 201 of thequestionnaire is displayed on the top of the display screen 200. Answeroption buttons 202 a to 202 d displaying the contents of each option aredisplayed below the question 201. The question 201 and the answer optionbuttons 202 a to 202 d may be superimposed and displayed on thedistributed video.

The viewer can answer the questionnaire by selecting one of thedisplayed answer option buttons 202 a to 202 d with tapping the screenor using a pointing device such as a mouse. The questionnaire, may beanswered by inputting the number given to the answer options.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the video distribution server 1 instructs theweb server 2 to implement the questionnaire with the same content whenconnecting the broadcast and the web (Step S15). The video distributionserver 1 transmits the question and the answer options received from theoriginating terminal 3 to the web server 2 and implements thequestionnaire on the webpage connected to the broadcast.

The web server 2 rewrites the content of the webpage or creates awebpage using the received questions and answer options.

When the web browser 5 accesses the webpage connected to the broadcast,the webpage 300 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The question 301 andanswer options 302 which are the same as the questionnaire implementedin the broadcasting are displayed on the webpage 300 in the example ofFIG. 6, the viewers of the webpage can answer the questionnaire byselecting one of the answer options 302 with the radio button placed onthe left side of the answer options 302 and clicking on the responsebutton 303.

Next, a process of ending the questionnaire and displaying the resultwill be described while referring to FIG. 7.

When receiving the command to end the questionnaire from the originatingterminal 3 (Step S21), the video distribution server 1 ends thequestionnaire in the broadcasting (Step S22). The originator operatesthe originating terminal 3 and transmits to the video distributionserver 1 that the questionnaire will be ended. The video distributionserver 1 notifies the viewer terminal 4 that the questionnaire hasended. The viewer terminal 4 stops the display of the questionnaireimplementation screen when receiving the notification of the completionof the questionnaire.

When ending the questionnaire in the broadcasting, the videodistribution server 1 also instructs the web server 2 to end thequestionnaire (Step S23).

The web server 2 deletes or disables the response button 303 of thewebpage 300 when receiving the notification of the end of thequestionnaire from the video distribution server 1. Alternatively, theweb server 2 may turn the webpage 300 to a blank state.

When the questionnaire on the web server 2 is completed the videodistribution server 1 receives the result of the questionnaire from theweb server 2 (Step S24). The result of the questionnaire received by thevideo distribution server 1 may be the number of people or thepercentages of people who selected each option, for example. Further,even before the completion of the questionnaire, the video distributionserver 1 may receive the intermediate result during the implementationof the questionnaire from the web server 2 at any time.

The video distribution server 1 may combine the result of thequestionnaire in the broadcasting and the result of the questionnaire onthe web when receiving the result of the questionnaire from the webserver 2.

When receiving the command to display the result from the originatingterminal 3 (Step S25), the video distribution server 1 directs theviewer terminal 4 to display the result of the questionnaire (Step S26).The originator operates the originating terminal 3 and transmits thecommand to display the result to the video distribution server 1. Thevideo distribution server 1 transmits the result of the questionnaire tothe viewer terminal 4, and the viewer terminal 4 creates and displaysthe questionnaire result screen on which the result of the questionnaireis displayed.

In the display screen 200 of the questionnaire result shown in FIG. 8,the question 201 is displayed on the top of the page, and answer optionbuttons 202 a to 202 d are displayed below the question 201 in which thecontent of each option and the percentages of the selections aredisplayed. In the example of FIG. 8, the results of the questionnaire inthe broadcasting and the questionnaire on the web are summarized anddisplayed. The viewer terminal 4 may display only the result of thequestionnaire in the broadcasting or only the result of thequestionnaire on the web.

The video distribution server 1 may instruct the web server 2 to alsodisplay the result of the questionnaire when the result of thequestionnaire is displayed in the broadcasting. The video distributionserver 1 combines the result of the questionnaire in the broadcastingand the result of the questionnaire on the web and transmits thesummarized result of the questionnaire to the web server 2. The webserver 2 displays the received result of the questionnaire on thewebpage connected to the broadcast. The video distribution server 1 maytransmit only the result of the questionnaire in the broadcasting, andthe web server 2 may combine the result of the questionnaire in thebroadcasting and the result of the questionnaire on the web.

On the webpage 300 displaying the result of the questionnaire shown inFIG. 9, the question 301 and the answer options 302 describing theresult of the questionnaire in the broadcasting and on the web aredisplayed. If the viewer of the webpage has answered the questionnaire,the answer option 302 selected by the radio button is shown.

Thereafter, when the originator sets a new questionnaire in thebroadcasting, the new questionnaire is implemented in the broadcasting,and the questionnaire of the webpage connected to the broadcasting isconverted to the new questionnaire on the web server 2.

(Examples of Modification)

Hereinafter, examples of some modifications of the embodiment will bedescribed.

In the preceding examples, the question and the answer options of thequestionnaire are transmitted from the video distribution server 1 tothe web server 2, however, the video distribution server 1 may receivethe question and the answer options of the questionnaire from the webserver 2.

The originator records the question and the answer options of thequestionnaire in the web server 2 in advance. Multiple questionnairesmay be recorded in the web server 2. The questionnaire recorded in theweb server 2 may be set so as not to be displayed on the webpage untilthe video distribution server 1 gives an instruction.

Suppose that a program starts and the video distribution server 1receives a command to start a questionnaire. If an instruction toimplement the questionnaire recorded in the web server 2 is included inthe command to start the questionnaire, the video distribution server 1instructs the web server 2 to implement the recorded questionnaire,receives the recorded questions and answer options of questionnaire fromthe web server 2 and starts the questionnaire in the broadcasting. Ifmultiple questionnaires are recorded in the web server 2, thequestionnaire to be implemented is specified in the command to start thequestionnaire.

The web server 2 starts the questionnaire on the webpage connected tothe broadcast.

The web server 2 may implement the questionnaire recorded in advancebefore the start of the program. After starting the program, the webserver 2 implements the questionnaire according to the instruction ofthe video distribution server 1.

The web server 2 may continue to implement the questionnaire even afterthe end of the program. The web server 2 records the question and theanswer options transmitted from the video distribution server 1. Afterthe end of the program, the web server 2 continues to implement thequestionnaire using the recorded questions and answer options accordingto the instruction from the video distribution server 1. The result ofthe questionnaire can be obtained later in the program.

The originator may apply a questionnaire prepared by a third party.Specifically, when implementing the questionnaire during thebroadcasting, the originator specifies the webpage of the questionnaireto he applied and obtains the question and answer options of thequestionnaire. At this time, the results of the questionnaire on thewebpage may be obtained simultaneously. The result of the questionnairein the program may be reflected on the webpage of the original source.However, in this case, a permission to update the results of thequestionnaire on the webpage is required. For example, the creator ofthe questionnaire may set so that anyone can update the result of thequestionnaire on the webpage.

In addition, multiple originators may share the webpage connecting tothe broadcast. The main originator can control the webpage connecting tothe broadcast. That is, the questionnaire is implemented in thebroadcasting and on the web according to the timing of the mainoriginator. Although other originators cannot control the mainoriginator's webpage, they can obtain the questions and the answeroptions from the webpage connecting to the main originator's broadcastin their own program. When the main originator implements thequestionnaire in the broadcasting and on the web, in the programs ofother originators, the questions and the answer options of thequestionnaire can be received from the web server 2, and thequestionnaire with the same contents can be implemented in their ownprograms.

When sharing the webpage connecting to the broadcast, any one ofmultiple originators may be able to control the webpage. In this case,multiple originators can take turns and set a questionnaire.

Further, the response style of the questionnaire may be, in addition toselect an answer option, by inputting characters freely to respond,drawing a picture to respond or capturing an image to respond.

Furthermore, the interactive services provided by connecting thebroadcast and the web is not limited to the questionnaire and may be aquiz or a game that can be performed by the viewer terminal 4 and theweb browser 5. When providing a game, the video distribution server 1may receive the game scores from the web server 2 and summarize them.

(Shopping Program)

Next, an example in which the video distribution server of theembodiment is applied to a shopping program will be described.

In recent years, there has been an extensive popularization forcommodities trading between individuals through a network. Salespromotion can be expected by introducing the products sold byindividuals in their own programs. Further, the prospective purchaser(the viewer of the program) has an advantage of being able to directlyask a question to the seller (the originator of the program) about theproduct in the program.

By applying the service connection system to the shopping program,connecting the program to the web and introducing the productsintroduced in the program on the website at the same time, it ispossible even for people who cannot view the program to learn about theproducts introduced in the program by accessing the webpage.

Hereinafter, a comment function, a cart function and an auction functionwill be described as examples of interactive services that connectshopping programs and the web.

First, an example of the comment function provided by both the programand the web in which the program and the web are connected will bedescribed while referring to FIGS. 10 and 11.

In the image of the program shown in FIG. 10, the comments input on thewebpage connected to the program are also superimposed in addition tothe comments input by the viewers. The information on the productcurrently being introduced is shown on the top of the display screen 200as “Product No. 1” in FIG. 10. The comment input to the webpage is shownon the bottom of the display screen 200 as “Comments from the web.”Other comments are the comments input by the viewers.

The webpage 300 in FIG. 11 is configured with a product image 310, acomment input field 311, a comment post button 312 and a comment displayfield 313. The product image 310 is an image of the product beingintroduced in the program. The image may be recorded in advance in theweb server 2 or may be a screen shot of the program. When the productintroduced in the shopping program has changed, the product image 310will be also changed. The program controls the timing at which theproduct image 310 displayed on the webpage is changed. Comments input bythe viewers of the webpage 300 are displayed in the comment input field311. The comment input by the program viewer may be additionallydisplayed.

A flow of the processing in which the video distribution server 1 andthe web server 2 are connected in the shopping program will be describedwhile referring to FIG. 12.

As advance preparation, the video distribution server 1 directs the webserver 2 to prepare a webpage connecting to the shopping program (StepS31). The originator may record the product information, such as animage of the product to be introduced, in the web server 2 in advance.

The video distribution server 1 starts broadcasting of the shoppingprogram (Step S32).

When receiving the command to start the product introduction from theoriginating terminal 3 (Step S33), the video distribution server 1determines that the product introduction has been started for theprogram (Step S34). Alternatively, when receiving a command to displaythe sub screen or receiving a command to display a still image from theoriginating terminal 3, or a comment is input to be displayed by fixingon the screen, the video distribution server 1 may determine to startthe product introduction. The viewer can identify the product beingintroduced by the originator presenting a video of the product on thesub screen, showing the product introducing as a still image, anddisplaying the product name of the introduced product on the screen.

When the product introduction in the program is started, the videodistribution server 1 instructs the web server 2 to start the productintroduction (Step S35). The web server 2 displays the productinformation on the webpage when receiving the instruction, and then,enables the comment function. In the following examples, the web server2 enables the cart function and the auction function.

The comment input by the viewer of the program is transmitted from theviewer terminal 4 to the video distribution server 1. The videodistribution server 1 superimposes the received comment on the image ofthe program and transmits the comment to the web server 2. The webserver 2 displays the received comment on the comment display field 313.

In addition, when the viewer of the webpage 300 inputs the comment inthe comment input field 311 and clicks on the comment post button 312,the web server 2 displays the input comment in the comment display field313 and transmits the comment to the video distribution server 1. Thevideo distribution server 1 superimposes the received comment on theimage of the program.

As described, the comments input in each of the program and the web aremutually reflected each other. People who cannot view the program arealso allowed to make a comment on the products introduced in theprogram. For example, the comment field can be used to inquire about theproduct or to negotiate a price reduction.

When the product introduced in the program has been changed, the productimage 310 of the webpage 300 is changed. Specifically, the videodistribution server 1 instructs the web server 2 to change the productwhen receiving a command to change the product from the originatingterminal 3, and the web server 2 changes the product image 310 to theimage of the next product. The video distribution server 1 may determinethat the product to be introduced is changed when receiving a command todisplay the sub screen or receiving a command to display a new stillimage, or a new comment is input to be displayed by fixing on thescreen.

Consequently, an example of the cart function provided by the programand the web in which the program and the web are connected will bedescribed while referring to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The video distribution server 1 receives an order of a product from theviewer terminal 4. For example, when the viewer inputs a purchasecommand (for example, “/buy”) in the comment input field, the order ofthe product may be transmitted. Alternatively, a selectable purchasebutton may be displayed on the display screen 200 of the viewer terminal4 and when the viewer clicks on the purchase button, the order of theproduct may be transmitted from the viewer terminal 4 to the videodistribution server 1. As in the image of the program shown in FIG. 13,the fact that the product has been ordered may be superimposed on theimage of the program. The viewer can recognize the sales of the productfrom the amount of the purchase comments displayed on the display screen200.

The webpage 300 shown in FIG. 14 is configured with a product image 310and a purchase button 320. The product image 310 is an image of theproduct being introduced in the shopping program. The viewer of thewebpage 300 can order the product by clicking on the purchase button320. The web server 2 transmits to the video distribution server 1 thatthe product has been ordered through the web. The video distributionserver 1 may superimpose on the image of the program that the producthas been ordered on the web when notified that the order has beenaccepted in the web server 2.

Next, an example of the auction function provided by the program and theweb in which the program and the web are connected will be describedwhile referring to FIGS. 13 and 16.

FIG. 1 is an example of a display screen of the viewer terminal 4, andFIG. 16 is an example of a webpage.

The video distribution server 1 receives a bid from the viewer terminal4. When the viewer inputs a bid command and a bid price in the commentinput field, the bid information is transmitted from the viewer terminal4 to the video distribution server 1. When the bid price is updated, thevideo distribution server 1 superimposes the highest bid price on theimage of the program and transmits the information of the highest bidprice to the web server 2.

The webpage 300 shown in FIG. 16 is configured with a product image 310,a price input field 330, a bid button 331 and a bid information displayfield 332. The product image 310 is an image of the product subjected toa bid. The viewer of the webpage 300 can enter a bid price into theprice input field 330 and can bid by clicking on the bid button 331. Theweb server 2 transmits the bid information such as the bid price to thevideo distribution server 1. The video distribution server 1superimposes the highest bid price on the image of the program when thebid price is updated by a bid from the web. Further, the web server 2displays the information on the bid information display field 332 whenreceiving the information on the highest bid price from the videodistribution server 1.

The comment function shown in FIG. 12 may be provided to the webpage 300shown in FIGS. 14 and 16.

According to the embodiment as described above, by the videodistribution server 1 receiving a video from the originating terminal 3and distributing the video to the viewer terminal 4 implements aquestionnaire in the broadcasting and directs the web server 2 toprovide the same questionnaire based on an instruction from theoriginating terminal 3, people who cannot view the broadcast at the timeof the questionnaire implementation in the broadcasting will be able torespond to the questionnaire on the web provided by connecting to thebroadcast and therefore will be allowed to participate in thequestionnaire in the broadcasting. In addition, by connecting thebroadcast and the web and through the broadcast related to thequestionnaire, it is possible to recognize the intentions and backgroundof the questioner that would not be generally noticed only by looking atthe question of the questionnaire on the web, which results in themotivation to answer the questionnaire for people who are not usuallywilling to participate in the questionnaire on the web.

1. A video distribution method configured to be executed by at least onecomputer, comprising: receiving an instruction from an originatingterminal to distribute a first video provided by the originatingterminal; distributing a second video, which corresponds to the firstvideo, from a distribution server to at least one viewer terminal basedon the instruction from the originating terminal; receiving a startrequest to start a questionnaire from the originating terminal duringtransmission of the first video from the originating terminal to thedistribution server; providing the questionnaire to a web server devicefrom the distribution server when receiving the start request from theoriginating terminal and during the distribution of the second video;executing the questionnaire through the web server to at least oneviewer; receiving a results request to display results of thequestionnaire from the originating terminal; and displaying the resultsof the questionnaire on the viewer terminal.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: transmitting a termination request toterminate execution of the questionnaire from the originating terminalto the distribution server.
 3. The method according to claim 2, whereinthe results may be displayed even after transmission of the terminationrequest.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein answers receivedafter the termination request is transmitted are not included in theresults of the questionnaire.
 5. The method according to claim 1,wherein the questionnaire comprises a question text and a plurality ofoptions.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the results aresuperimposed and displayed over the first video.
 7. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the first video comprises a live broadcast videocaptured by a camera.
 8. An originator terminal device comprising atleast a processor and storage, which serves as the originating terminalin the method of claim
 1. 9. A viewer terminal device comprising atleast a processor and storage, which serves as the viewer terminal inthe method of claim
 1. 10. A video distribution server comprising: avideo distribution unit configured to receive an instruction from anoriginating terminal to distribute a first video and configured todistribute a second video, which corresponds to the first video, to atleast one viewer terminal based on the instruction from the originatingterminal; a command input unit configured to receive a start request tostart a questionnaire from the originating terminal during transmissionof the first video from the originating terminal to the videodistribution server; a questionnaire processing unit configured toprovide the questionnaire to the at least one viewer terminal via a webserver device; and a result reception unit configured to receive atleast one result of the questionnaire provided by a viewer of the video,wherein the command input unit is further configured to receive aresults request to display the at least one result of the questionnairefrom the originating terminal, and wherein, in response to the resultsrequest, the video distribution server facilitates display of the atleast one result of the questionnaire on the viewer terminal.
 11. Thevideo distribution server according to claim 10, wherein the commandinput unit is further configured to receive a termination request toterminate execution of the questionnaire from the originating terminal.12. The video distribution according to claim 11, wherein responses tothe questionnaire are no longer accepted after the termination requestis received.
 13. The video distribution server according to claim 10,wherein the questionnaire comprises a question text and a plurality ofoptions.
 14. The video distribution server according to claim 10,wherein the at least one result is superimposed over the first video andtransmitted as the second video.
 15. The video distribution serveraccording to claim 10, wherein the first video comprises a livebroadcast video captured by a camera.
 16. An originating terminalcomprising a processor which is configured to: transmit to adistribution server an instruction to distribute a first video providedby the originating terminal; transmit to the distribution server a startrequest to start a questionnaire during transmission of the first videofrom the originating terminal to the distribution server; and transmitto the distribution server a results request to display results of thequestionnaire to at least one viewer, wherein, in response to theinstruction to distribute the first video, the distribution serverdistributes a second video, which corresponds to the first video, to atleast one viewer terminal, wherein, in response to the start request,the distribution server provides the questionnaire to a web serverdevice, and the web server device administers the questionnaire to theat least one viewer, wherein the distribution server receives at leastone result of the questionnaire, and wherein, in response to the resultsrequest, the distribution server facilitates display of the at least oneresult on the at least one viewer terminal.
 17. The originating terminalaccording to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured totransmit to the distribution server a termination request to terminateexecution of the questionnaire.
 18. The originating terminal accordingto claim 17, wherein responses to the questionnaire are no longeraccepted after the termination request is received.
 19. The originatingterminal according to claim 16, wherein the distribution serversuperimposes the at least one result over the first video, which isdistributed as the second video.
 20. The originating terminal accordingto claim 16, wherein the first video comprises a live broadcast videocaptured by a camera connected to the originating terminal.